Quartermaster Sergeant Ernest William Jackson
| Date of Birth | 19 February 1875 |
|---|---|
| Age at Death | 41 |
| Date of Death | 24 December 1916 |
| Service Number | 1905 |
| Military Service | A Squadron, 2nd County of London Yeomanry |
| Merton Address | 95 Dora Road, Wimbledon |
| Local Memorial | St. Luke's Church, Wimbledon |
Additional Information
Born in Richmond, Surrey on 19 February 1875, Ernest was the son Charles Jackson and his wife, Eliza. The couple also had two older children, Florence and Charles jnr, plus five younger children - Kenward, Evelyn, James, Hilda and Ella. Charles Jackson was an insurance clerk and may have been working at his family’s firm.
During Ernest’s early childhood, the Jacksons were based at 3 Friston Villas, Richmond, together with two domestic servants. By 1891 Charles snr must have inherited money, or performed well in his previous job, as he was “living off his own means.” In 1901 the family was listed at 23 Sydney Road, Richmond. Eliza was now a wealthy widow. Her four sons ( aged 21 to 29 ) were still living at home. They had all followed in their father’s footsteps and were working as insurance clerks,
The 1911 census shows Ernest living in a fairly large house at 11 Southdean Gardens, Wimbledon, together with his mother, his sister Florence and his brother James. It was at around this time that he joined the 2nd County of London Imperial Yeomanry, also known as the Westminster Dragoons. Originally an eighteenth century cavalry unit, this was reformed in 1901 by veterans of the Boer War. By the time Ernest joined up, the Yeomanry was a territorial force. His rank was squadron quartermaster sergeant, a non-commissioned officer responsible for stores and supplies.
Following his mother’s death in September 1913, Ernest moved to 95 Dora Road, Wimbledon. During World War 1, part of the 2nd County of London Imperial Yeomanry was attached to the London Mounted Brigade and served in the Middle East from 1914 to 1917. Another unit was primarily home-based but performed guard duties in France from late 1915 to the following summer, when the men returned to the UK. It is not clear if Ernest served overseas – by 1916 he was 41 – the upper age limit for wartime service.
Ernest died of pneumonia on 24 December 1916 at his home in Wimbledon. He never married, so his army pension was paid to his sister Hilda. He is commemorated on memorials at Wimbledon Parish Church and St. Luke’s Church, Wimbledon Park.